An outbreak of salmonella in parts of England and Wales has been confirmed by the Food Standards Agency (FSA), along with other official bodies.
The outbreak is understood to be of an unusual type of infection called Salmonella Typhimurium, and it has so far been confirmed in 36 cases in England and 21 cases in Wales. In the case of 9 infected people, the disease has caused them to be hospitalised. The people affected range in age from just 7 months old to 87 years old.
The FSA says that the outbreak was first identified in August in North Wales, but additional clusters have since been reported in England. The areas affected are Leeds, Stoke-on-Trent, Cumbria and the Thames Valley.
The outbreak is now being investigated by the FSA, along with Public Health England, Public Health Wales and environmental health teams from various local authorities.
Salmonella is a type of food poisoning caused by eating undercooked food, or food that has been contaminated by certain kinds of raw food. Poor food hygiene training and a lack of a clear food safety management system in food-serving businesses can cause it.
